Bursts of Light
Psalm 22:3 ESV says, “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
A true heart of worship has the single desire to see God glorified. It’s worth noting that the posture and attitude of adoration is the defining factor between God-centered and me-centered worship. Singing a song about what God has done for me could either be about wanting God to fix your problems or experiential grounds for thanksgiving. In other words, the motive of the heart determines the purity of our praise.
Praises come in many varieties. We can simply say, “I praise you, Lord!” Here, our praise is in our recognition of God and the attention we give him. We can praise him by describing his character and nature, saying, “God, you are holy! You are good! You are gracious and kind!” We can praise him by remembering his works in our lives and the world. “You are the God who provides! You split the waters of the Red Sea!”
All these expressions, when joined with a humble heart of gratitude, are worthy expressions of worship. They each play a role in constructing this celestial “throne” for God. I often think about this image of praise when believers gather to worship in the corporate setting. However, I see today that a mixture of corporate and personal expressions of praise prepares a throne for the Lord.
A dynamic interplay between corporate and private praises forms an unshakable declaration from the body of Christ that God is worthy of praise—a testimony being broadcast in the spiritual realm that God’s people long to bless the Lord. Try to zoom out and picture the work of such praises. In a world battered down with demonic lies, praises are bursts of light in the darkness. Imagine how beautiful this might be within one church. How much more significant when multiplied across all the churches in your city or your denomination? How powerful is it to consider the global Church continually giving God praise?
I wonder how frequently you join the Church in giving God praise. Many believers hold back their praise in the most accessible place to worship (the church), so I can’t imagine their personal lives looking much different. It is one of the simplest ways to engage with the Lord, yet it is one of the faith's most sobering and clarifying practices.
How can we praise God if our lives say the opposite? It’s easier to ignore impurity and iniquity in our hearts if we aren’t faced with the emptiness of our praises.
On the other hand, praising God daily can be a rejuvenating practice. That first Hallelujah might feel a bit phony, but something about praising God draws us into the story of freedom. Another praise lifted up begins to set the incentive for godly living because when we praise God, we see him as the holy and enthroned God.
For this reason, I believe that praises shatter the walls blocking us from seeing Jesus. Seeing this God is breathtaking and transformative. It is the most compelling argument for following God. So praise God today in the mundane moments of your life. Praise him in the corporate gathering. Praise him in your family, on your way to work, in the good and the bad.
Praise the Lord, who is holy and enthroned.
